Messages
A collection of sermons and messages Mark has given over the years
New messages are added as they become available
Nov 17, 2024, 10:30 AM
What are you devoted to? We're called to be devoted to God, but what does that look like? We have a clue in Paul's repeated command that believers to devoted to doing what is good. It comes up twice in this last chapter. We already have an idea what that looks like, but Paul fleshes it out even more in these few verses. Come see what he has to teach us, and check how you're doing in your devotion to God. From Titus 3:1-15.
Nov 10, 2024, 10:30 AM
To what do you look for the assurance of your salvation? A date? A prayer? A baptism? The grace of God came to bring us salvation, but do we understand that means? Whether we realize it or not, so many of us think that just means we're promised a seat in Heaven for eternity. We who believe in Christ are indeed assured a place in Heaven for all eternity, but that is far from the whole picture. God's purpose was so much greater than that, and it makes for an important test to see if we're "in the faith." From Titus 2:11-15.
Nov 3, 2024, 10:30 AM
Sound doctrine isn't merely a collection of truths to hold in our head and heart. It has implications for how we live. We've already seen very specific expectations that sound doctrine places on older men, older women and younger women. There are still three more groups affected by sound doctrine: young men, teachers and slaves. As we saw last week, just because a specific requirement is given to one group of people does not mean the others cannot learn something from them. The same is true with these three groups. We all can learn much from these instructions, even if we think we're not part of the group instructed. From Titus 2:6-10.
Oct 27, 2024, 10:30 AM
Elders had two tasks: encourage the believers by sound doctrine and refute those who opposed sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). Most of the rest of Paul's Letter to Titus deals with encouraging believers by sound doctrine. But sound doctrine is not merely knowledge about God, His Creation, His plans and purposes and you and me. Sound doctrine has very clear and definite implications for how believers live their lives. It is not just about how to be saved, but how should we live. Paul begins here with instructions for older men, older women and younger women. From Titus 2:1-5.
Oct 13, 2024, 10:30 AM
Elders had two tasks: encourage the believers by sound doctrine and refute those who opposed sound doctrine (Titus 1:9). Refuting those who oppose sound doctrine is no joyful task, but one that is desperately needed, even today. There are far too many servants of Satan seeking to steal, kill and destroy those who seek Christ. Paul had tangled with enough false teachers in his day (and Titus was no stranger to them). He wanted these new elders to have confidence in their role of protector, but also ensure that the sheep were no easy prey. From Titus 1:10-16.
Oct 6, 2024, 10:30 AM
Paul appoints Titus to finish laying a foundation of Christian life and doctrine for the fledgling churches of Crete. This is what the whole letter is about, notes for Titus as he seeks to complete this task. Chief among Titus' duties is to establish trustworthy elders to guard each of the new congregations, so Paul turns immediately to a brief list of the main qualities Titus needs to look for in potential elder candidates. These are actually qualifications that every believer should be working on; this list is a guide for spiritual growth and maturity, whether anyone aspires to the office of elder or is barred from it. From Titus 1:5-9.
Sep 22, 2024, 10:30 AM
The Great Commission included instruction for the Apostles to teach their disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded them. If everything Jesus commanded them had been included in the Gospels, there would be no need for the letters that make up the rest of the New Testament. But so much of the New Testament are letters from Paul! Who's Paul? Should we listen to him? If he is a legitimate Apostle, that means we have to obey everything he taught! From Titus 1:1-4.